Principal Software Engineer, Onsite

Collins Aerospace; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous 401(k) plan with employer 401

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Collins Aerospace Mission Systems in Cedar Rapids seeks a Principal Software Engineer to shape secure, real-time communications. You will architect embedded software for software-defined radios and cryptographic systems, and lead multi-threaded development in C, C++, and Rust.

You’ll own requirements, testing, and certification while guiding teams and partners across projects. The role emphasizes Agile Product Ownership, cost/schedule control via EVM, and contributions to proposals, bids,

Qualifications

• Experience across the full software development lifecycle.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and Product Owner responsibilities.
• Experience with proposals, cost estimates, and schedules.
• Willingness and ability to obtain a U.S. government-issued security clearance.
• Typically requires a degree in STEM with 8+ years of experience or an advanced degree with 5+ years.

Responsibilities

• Architect cutting-edge embedded software and communication products.
• Lead large multi-threaded embedded software projects in C, C++, and Rust.
• Drive project success with requirements, implementation, test, and certification.
• Lead initiatives and teams to align with program goals and customer requirements.
• Apply EVM to monitor cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Serve as Agile Product Owner, prioritize product backlog, and collaborate with teams.
• Contribute to proposals, bids, scoping, and technical documentation for business growth.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules with milestones and risks.

Skills

Embedded software

C

C++

Rust

Agile Product Owner

Earned Value Management

Proposals & bids

Project management

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree (related field)

Tools

Git

Job description

Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137

Date Posted: 2026-10-01

Country: United States of America

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. At Collins Aerospace, we don’t just build technology—we engineer mission success. Our Communication Systems teams are on the front lines of innovation, designing and delivering cutting‑edge embedded communication solutions that keep military forces around the world safe, connected, and informed—no matter the environment. We’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer who’s ready to make an impact. In this role, you won’t just write code, you’ll help shape the future of secure communications. From software‑defined radios and advanced networking to state‑of‑the‑art cryptographic systems, your work will drive critical real‑time communications that enable pilots and soldiers to securely share voice, video, and data when it matters most. Here, you’ll collaborate with top‑tier engineers and industry experts, leveraging advanced technologies to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you're building trusted systems or breaking ground on new innovations, your contributions will directly support mission‑critical operations across the globe. If you're passionate about solving complex challenges, excited by the idea of working on systems that truly matter and driven to grow alongside some of the brightest minds in the field—we want you on our team. Join Collins Aerospace Mission Systems and help us connect the battlespace of tomorrow!

What You Will Do

• YOU will architect cutting-edge embedded software and communication products.
• YOU will lead large efforts in complex, multi-threaded embedded software in C, C++, and Rust.
• YOU will drive project success by serving as an expert in requirements, implementation, test development, and certification.
• YOU will lead initiatives and teams, ensuring alignment with program goals and customer requirements.
• YOU will manage cost, schedule, and technical performance, applying Earned Value Management (EVM) principles to monitor and report progress.
• YOU will serve as an Agile Product Owner, defining and prioritizing the product backlog, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs, and collaborating with development teams to deliver high‑value solutions.
• YOU will contribute to the development of proposals and bids, including scoping, cost estimation, and technical documentation, to support business growth.
• YOU will develop and maintain detailed project schedules, identifying milestones, dependencies, and risks to ensure on‑time delivery of program objectives.

What You Will Learn

• YOU will gain technical leadership experience and mentorship opportunities to develop talent for yourself and your peers.
• YOU will collaborate with experts in the software discipline, obtaining hands‑on experience with new and innovative technologies.
• YOU will engage with a multidisciplinary team to develop a cross‑functional skillset, including expertise in project management, Agile methodologies, and EVM practices.
• YOU will become a subject matter expert for our software domain, as well as in Agile Product Ownership, proposals and bids, and detailed schedule planning.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Proven experience in the full software development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Hands‑on experience with Agile development methodologies and Product Owner responsibilities, including backlog prioritization and stakeholder collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience with proposals and bids, including creating technical solutions, cost estimates, and schedules.
• Willingness and ability to obtain a U.S. government‑issued security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience with Rust, C++ or C.
• 5 years of experience with embedded software development and multithreading in embedded systems.
• Experience with Cost Account Management, Earned Value Management (EVM), and Risk Management techniques to track and ensure project performance.
• Proficiency with Git or other version control systems.
• Knowledge of networking and communications protocols.
• Strong understanding of detailed schedule planning, including resource management and milestone tracking.

What We Offer

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance,critical illnessinsurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• Eligible for relocation
• And more!

Do you want to be a part of something bigger? A team whose impact stretches across the world, and even beyond? At Collins Aerospace, our Mission Systems team helps civilian, military